Sporting device weight

ABSTRACT

A sporting weight system couplable to a sporting device. The sporting weight system including a plurality of shaped weight portions and at least one fastener. The at least one fastener is configured to couple the plurality of shaped weight portions together about a shaft portion of the sporting device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 63/249,275, entitled “BASEBALL BAT WEIGHT”, filedSep. 28, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to weights coupled to elongated sportingdevices or sticks, and, more particularly, to a detachable weight coupedto a sporting stick or device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many sporting activities utilize a sporting device, which can take theform of a bat, a racket, a club, a paddle or similar device generallymanipulated with the hands of a person. It is recognized that the addingof weight to the sporting device and swinging the device provides adesirable exercise for the sporting participant.

Weights for baseball bats can be in the form of a toroidal shape that isslipped over an end of the bat and the inner portion of the weight issized so that it will engage the bat along a tapered surface, with thetapered surface acting with the inner portion of the weight to keep itfrom sliding further up the bat.

What is needed in the art is a sporting weight system that can be easilyattached to and removed from the shaft of the sporting device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sports training aid in the form of aweight system that is couplable to a sporting device.

The invention in one form is directed to a sporting weight systemcouplable to a sporting device. The sporting weight system including aplurality of shaped weight portions and at least one fastener. The atleast one fastener is configured to couple the plurality of shapedweight portions together about a shaft portion of the sporting device.

The invention in another form is directed to a sporting weight systemincluding a plurality of shaped weight portions and at least onefastener. The at least one fastener is configured to couple theplurality of shaped weight portions together about a shaft portion ofthe sporting device.

An advantage of the present invention is that the weight system isapplicable to all types of sporting devices, with just a differing innersurface contour.

Another advantage is that the weight system is quickly engaged andremoved from the shaft of the sporting device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a sporting device in the form of abaseball bat to which is attached an embodiment of a weight system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2A is a top view of one embodiment of the weight system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2B is a top view of another embodiment of the weight system of FIG.1 having a different weight from that of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a top view of yet another embodiment of the weight system ofFIG. 1 having a different weight from that of the weight system of FIGS.2A and 2B;

FIG. 2D is a top view of still yet another embodiment of the weightsystem of FIG. 1 having a different weight from that of the weightsystem of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C;

FIG. 3A is an end view of the weight system of FIGS. 1 and 2A;

FIG. 3B is an end view of the weight system of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3C is an end view of the weight system of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 3D is an end view of the weight system of FIG. 2D;

FIG. 4A is a view of one shaped weight portion of the weight system ofFIG. 2A and 3A, for example;

FIG. 4B is a view of another shaped weight portion of the weight systemof FIG. 2A and 3A, complementary to the weight portion of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a view of one shaped weight portion of the weight system ofFIG. 2C and 3C, for example;

FIG. 4D is a view of another shaped weight portion of the weight systemof FIG. 2C and 3C, complementary to the weight portion of FIG. 4C;

FIG. 5 is an end perspective view of the weight system of FIGS. 2A and3A;

FIG. 6 is a geometrical shape of an inner surface of one of the weightsystems of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the shape being circular in nature;

FIG. 7 is another geometrical shape of an inner surface of one of theweight systems of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the shape being square innature;

FIG. 8 is another geometrical shape of an inner surface of one of theweight systems of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the shape being octagonal innature;

FIG. 9 is another geometrical shape of an inner surface of one of theweight systems of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the shape being rectangular orrectilinear in nature;

FIG. 10 is a geometrical shape of an inner surface of one of the weightsystems of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the shape being oval in nature; and

FIG. 11 is a geometrical shape of an inner surface of one of the weightsystems of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the shape being in the form of thecross-section of a cricket bat.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates one embodiment of the invention, in one form, and suchexemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 there isshown a perspective view of a sporting weight system WS for use with asporting device 10, illustrated here as a baseball bat 10 with anembodiment of the weight system WS in the form of a baseball bat weight12 installed on sporting device 10. Weight 12 is coupled to bat 10 on ashaft portion S between a grip portion 14 and a major diameter portion16 of bat 10. The placing of weight 12 in this location allows theassembly to be used for training purposes, to enhance a batter's swingand the power associated with the swing.

Sporting weight system WS includes shaped weight portions 12A1 and 12A2,and at least one fastener 18 configured to couple shaped weight portions12A1 and 12A2 together about shaft portion S of sporting device 10.

Now, additionally referring to FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A-3D, there are shownfour examples of weight 12, in the forms of weights 12A, 12B, 12C and12D, to illustrate that different sizes of weights 12 are contemplated.The designations 12X1 and 12X2, where X would be A, B, C, or D (in otherreference numbers as well), illustrates the complimentary weightportions 12X1 and 12X2. As can be seen in FIGS. 4A-4D weights 12 eachhave two portions 12A1 and 12A2, or 12C1 and 12C2, as two examplesthereof. As illustrated portions 12A1 and 12C1 have fasteners 18 thatextend therethrough and may respectively be coupled thereto. Althoughthreaded fasteners 18 are used in the illustrated embodiment, it iscontemplated that other fastening systems may be used. It is alsocontemplated that portions 12A1 and 12A2 (12C1 and 12C2) can beidentical with one fastener 18 extending from one portion into the otherportion. It is further contemplated that portion 12A1 may be hingedlycoupled to portion 12A2 and with just one fastener 18 being used tosecure portions 12A1 and 12A2 together on bat 10. It is furthercontemplated that the differing portions 12X1 can be coupled with 12X2of differing weight sizes. This allows an offset of the weighting aboutan axis of sporting device 10.

Portions 12A1 and 12A2 each are shown with a half cylindrical orquasi-cylindrical void 20A that when portions 12A1 and 12A2 are coupledto bat 10 significantly surround bat 10 and compress against bat 10 tohold weight 12 in place. It is also contemplated that void 20X can be atapered void to conform with the general taper of a bat 10, where weight12 is illustrated to be mounted. Additionally, void 20 may be formed tofit a particular model of bat 10 having a known taper. Fasteners 18 maybe tightened without the use of tools.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4C and 4D, void 20C of weight 12C has a duallevel void 20C which resembles two cylindrical voids of differing radii.This allows for the customization of the total mass associated with eachweight 12 and the insertion of a pad P.

Voids 20A-D can differ in size with weights 12 appearing to be twoconcentric circles when viewed from the end perspective. Differing voidsizes are used for differing sizes of bats 10. As can be seen in FIG. 5inner surfaces 22 can be cylindrical in nature to accommodate shafts Sof sporting devices 10 that have a cylindrical cross-section such asgolf clubs or bats.

Fasteners 18 are illustrated as removable threaded fasteners, butcaptive fastening systems without threads are also contemplated. Forexample, portions 12X1 and 12X2 can be hinged along one side, along theouter diameter of weight 12, with an over center latch on an oppositeside. The foregoing construct provides a single integrated construct,which can be easily installed on a bat 10, easily removed, and stored asa single unit.

The present invention places a selected weight 12 on bat 10 at aposition that assists in swing training and challenges arm muscles inthe user to develop so that swings without weight 12 will be morepowerful. The positioning helps preserve balance of bat 10 versusweights that are traditionally placed closer to the outer end of bat 10,in area 16.

Sporting weight system WS can be applied to sporting devices 10 that mayhave outer surfaces having cross sections that vary as those shown inFIGS. 6-11 . FIGS. 6-11 illustrate inner surfaces 22 of weights 12 thatare complementary to the outer surfaces of round shafts, as shown inFIG. 6 . In a similar fashion inner surface 22 of FIG. 7 has a squarecontour. Further, inner surface 22 of FIG. 8 has an octagonal contour.Still further, inner surface 22 of FIG. 9 is rectangular or rectilinearin nature. Still further, inner surface 22 of FIG. 10 is oval in nature.Yet still further, inner surface 22 of FIG. 11 has a shape of a cricketbat.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sporting weight system couplable to a sportingdevice, the sporting weight system comprising: a plurality of shapedweight portions; and at least one fastener configured to couple theplurality of shaped weight portions together about a shaft portion ofthe sporting device.
 2. The sporting weight system of claim 1, whereineach shaped weight portion has an inner contour complimentary to anouter surface of the shaft portion of the sporting device.
 3. Thesporting weight system of claim 2, further comprising at least oneresilient pad coupled to the inner contour of at least one of the shapedweight portion.
 4. The sporting weight system of claim 2, wherein theinner contour has a cross-section that is at least partially circular.5. The sporting weight system of claim 2, wherein the inner contour hasa cross-section that is at least partially rectilinear.
 6. The sportingweight system of claim 2, wherein the inner contour has a cross-sectionthat is at least partially octagonal.
 7. The sporting weight system ofclaim 2, wherein the inner contour has a cross-section that is at leastpartially oval.
 8. The sporting weight system of claim 2, wherein theinner contour has a cross-section that has a cricket bat shape.
 9. Thesporting weight system of claim 2, wherein the inner contour has across-section that has a square shape.
 10. A sporting weight system,comprising: a plurality of shaped weight portions; and at least onefastener configured to couple the plurality of shaped weight portionstogether about an outer surface of a shaft portion of a sporting device.11. The sporting weight system of claim 10, wherein each shaped weightportion has an inner contour complimentary to the outer surface of theshaft portion of the sporting device.
 12. The sporting weight system ofclaim 11, further comprising at least one resilient pad coupled to theinner contour of at least one of the shaped weight portion.
 13. Thesporting weight system of claim 11, wherein the inner contour has across-section that is at least partially circular.
 14. The sportingweight system of claim 11, wherein the inner contour has a cross-sectionthat is at least partially rectilinear.
 15. The sporting weight systemof claim 11, wherein the inner contour has a cross-section that is atleast partially octagonal.
 16. The sporting weight system of claim 11,wherein the inner contour has a cross-section that is at least partiallyoval.
 17. The sporting weight system of claim 11, wherein the innercontour has a cross-section that has a cricket bat shape.
 18. Thesporting weight system of claim 11, wherein the inner contour has across-section that has a square shape.
 19. The sporting weight system ofclaim 10, wherein each of the plurality of shaped weight portions aresubstantially similar in shape and weight.
 20. The sporting weightsystem of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of shaped weightportions are similar in cross-sectional shape, but different in weight.